Deborah Shields, PhD, RN, CCRN, AHN-BC, QTTT, earned her BSN at Ohio University (Summa Cum Laude), her MS at Wright State University (Summa Cum Laude), and her PhD in Interdisciplinary Studies with a concentrate focus in Holistic Nursing at Union Institute & University. She is currently an Associate Professor of Nursing at Capital University, a staff nurse at Doctors Hospital OhioHealth in critical care and PACU, and is a Therapeutic Touch Therapist and teacher in a private practice. Deb is greatly involved in research, extensively published, and a highly sought presenter. Her involvement with AHNA began in the early 80’s, after reading Cardiovascular Nursing: Bodymind Tapestry (Guzzetta & Dossey) and knowing that she had found her home in holistic nursing. Over the years she has enjoyed numerous opportunities to deepen her holistic practice through her relationships with the AHNA’s amazing, compassionate and committed membership and staff; through service, Deb has learned much about leadership and life. Since joining the Education team in the early 2000’s, she has been involved in a variety of projects designed to support quality education, grounded in holism (e.g.: the Nurse Planner /developer of CNE for Beginnings which now has its own CNE team; co-chairperson for the CNE teleconference pilot project which now is the monthly webinar series; twice serving as the Nurse Planner for AHNA Annual Conference). Deb currently serves as the Nurse Peer Review Leader of the AHNA Education Approver Unit and the Lead Nurse Planner of the AHNA Education Provider Unit, working with volunteer teams who graciously share their heart and wisdom with the AHNA! Deb also serves as a Chapter Network Leader. She was the first recipient of the AHNA Service Award in 2014, and was recognized as the Holistic Nurse of the Year in 2009. Some of her other awards include the Prism Award for Compassion, Cameo of Caring Award and the Spirit of Caring Award. Deb is an active member of other professional organizations: Therapeutic Touch International Associates (where she serves as the chairperson of the History Project and a Grant Writer); International Association for Human Caring; the American Association of Critical Care Nurses and the Central Ohio Chapter of American Association of Critical Care Nurses (where she has served in a variety of local and national positions); Phi Beta Delta; Sigma Theta Tau International; and, the Institute of Noetic Sciences. On the Capital University campus, Deb serves as faculty in both the pre- and post- licensure program, teaching a variety of courses and advising primarily post-licensure learners. She is the Chair of the work group that assembles all materials required for ANCC endorsement; all of Capital’s nursing programs received this recognition in 2009 and, in 2010, were awarded the AHNA Excellence in Holistic Education Award. Deb is also the Chair of Initiative from which a partnership with Guangxi Medical University in Nanning, China has been established, and faculty and learner exchanges are broadening the worldview of all. She was a member of the Adult and Geriatric Clinical Nurse Specialist Initiative and serves on a number of committees within the Department of Nursing. Deb is also a member of the Capital University IRB and immediate past chair of the Senate Academic Affairs Committee. Deb’s deepest joys in life are her family and friends. She lives with her husband David and their furr-bud family in SE Ohio, where she enjoys being in nature, running, writing poetry and being with her daughter Celeste and her four granddarlings (Jordan, Justynne, Austin, and Jaxon).

Organizational MembershipPhi Beta DeltaTherapeutic Touch International Associates, Inc.Institute of Noetic SciencesAmerican Association of Critical Care NursesSigma Theta Tau
Position StatementSeeking your consideration of me as President-Elect invites me to share my vision of AHNA as the definitive voice of holistic nursing. AHNA is YOU…a vibrant, generative, caring community of holistic nursing experts. I envision AHNA as the voice that is sought in all matters related to health and well-being. This can be accomplished through: 1) strategic resource management in order to invest in membership, programmatic, and advocacy/policy initiatives; 2) developing international relationships to ensure AHNA’s participation in meeting global health challenges; and 3) intentionally creating committees/work-groups for sharing and disseminating inter-generational wisdom, building resilience and collective strength. Leadership development is part of integral self-development, and interweaves the sharing of ideas and tools to support nurses wherever they are. I envision each member strengthening the leader that you are. Leadership is also discovering and stoking what fires your bellyheart! It transcends boundaries and lives from the bedside to the boardroom; at each step, AHNA is there to support you! I bring vision and a solid understanding of AHNA; ultimately, I bring my heart and listening ears to the role. I am passionate about working with you, carving a bold future for AHNA. I know this is possible because of you!